{"product_id":"the-peoples-house-of-commons-david-e-smith-9780802094650","title":"The People's House of Commons: Theories of Democracy in Contention","description":"\u003cp\u003eCanada's House of Commons has come under considerable attack in recent years. Many critics have contended that the House has been unresponsive to public opinion, and that its party leaders have too much control, while leaving individual MPs essentially powerless. The House has also faced challenges by the courts since the introduction of the Charter, a powerful bureaucracy equipped with specialized knowledge, and new telecommunications systems that are redefining the transfer of information.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough an examination of academic, judicial, political, and legal commentary, \u003cem\u003eThe People's House of Commons\u003c\/em\u003e explores the role of the House as a public institution. While addressing much of the criticism that has been levelled at the House, David E. Smith considers the competing political models and inherent tensions and their affect on public understanding. Smith maintains that court decisions are transforming the political system from one dominated by parties to one that promotes individual participation. He argues that reforms such as fixed election dates or stronger parliamentary committees have constitutional significance since their implementation would alter the practice of responsible government, which for more than a century has been a party government.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA definitive work by one of Canada's foremost experts in the field of political science, \u003cem\u003eThe People's House of Commons\u003c\/em\u003e explores the ramifications of many of the changes currently being proposed to Canada's political system, with particular reference to their affect on prerogative power, parliamentary privilege, party discipline, bicameralism, and the role of the opposition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e David E. Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0802094651\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780802094650\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of Toronto Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/21\/2007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.76lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.96h x 6.59w x 0.57d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eReference and Research Bk News\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2007 pg. 178","brand":"David E. Smith","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44072785412351,"sku":"9780802094650","price":44.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_288c7b70-6bad-4a3a-90da-08113d8c6880.jpg?v=1685443942","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-peoples-house-of-commons-david-e-smith-9780802094650","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}